Welcome in INRA - GABI

The objective of genetic evaluation is to estimate the genetic value of breeding animals, that is to estimate the expectancy of what is transmitted to their progeny for a particular trait. This genetic value cannot be observed and must therefore be estimated from three types of information: genealogies, performances (or phenotypes) and more recently, genome polymorphisms. Thus, once an animal has been subject to genetic evaluation, it will be defined by different genetic values that correspond to the different characteristics evaluated. Genetic selection will then use these objective values to genetically improve animals.

To fulfil its mission on genetic evaluation, INRA uses the National Genetic Information Systems (or SNIG). SNIG is a software shared by all the partners and is developed in relation with the technical institutes for each species. It includes a database that manages all data produced by the different partners: EDE (identifications and filiations), performance testing, insemination centers, breed associations, laboratories, slaughterhouses, etc. The Genetic Information Treatment Center (CTIG, situated at Jouy-en-Josas) is at the core of a complex network. It centralises and exchanges the data among more than 200 organisations. For example, the bovine SNIG at the CTIG,  is updated continuously; it contains the identification of 200 million animals, 80 million lactations, 500 million milk recordings, 70 million inseminations and 13 million body score records.

GABI is responsible for the genetic evaluation of cattle, pigs and horses. To do this, we develop statistical methods and computer applications, perform calculations and give recommendations for their use. The evaluations are performed periodically, once every two weeks for the most frequent or as little as once a year depending on species and traits. The number of traits evaluated increases regularly in all species, in response to the complex selection objectives and needs. Throughout time, besides productivity traits that are directly associated with product sale, traits related to product quality (meat, milk) and functional traits that are important for animal longevity and health, are also measured. Today, for example, approximately thirty traits are evaluated in dairy cattle. The traits that have recently been evaluated are stillbirth in cattle, mastitis resistance, and carcass traits recorded at the slaughterhouse.

Genetic evaluation is performed in close partnership with technical institutes that are in charge of spreading the results to users. Six engineers from the Institut de l'Elevage (French Breeding Institute) work for GABI on bovine genetic evaluations, which since 2006 are ISO9001 certified. This strong relationship between INRA research teams and the Institut de l'Elevage was recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2006 with the creation of a "Joint Technological Unit". This joint technological unit defines common projects and the different roles of each partner. In addition, two engineers from the Ministry of Agriculture perform genetic evaluations on riding and race horses and benefit from our scientific and computer environment. In pigs, genetic evaluation is done in close collaboration with the the French Pork and Pig Institute (IFIP).

The use of genomic data is currently revolutionizing genetic evaluations. GABI is at the cutting edge of world research, participating in the development of new tools and methods allowing the use of all new information. Since 2001, a marker-assisted selection program has been led on dairy cattle in partnership with the French National Union of Cooperatives for Animal Insemination (UNCEIA) and Labogena (Laboratory for Animal Genetic Analyses). This program has evolved much due to the use of new high-throughput genotyping tools. The genotyping of 3200 inseminating bulls with 54 000 SNP allowed the development of genomic selection as early as October 2008. Since then, more than 20 000 animals have been genotyped each year and the quality of the evaluations shows that it is no longer necessary to test the progeny of bulls. This innovation is one of the most important in the field of selection in recent decades. This program is undergoing major developments within the framework of a European project, EuroGenomics, officializing male indexes in June 2009, officializing female indexes and opening up a service for breeders in January 2011. Analogous developments are ongoing in beef cattle, pig and horse.